Beat The Heat With Some Water Filled Fun Around Central Minnesota

UNDATED -- With expected highs well into the 90s and even 100s this weekend there are plenty of ways to stay cool around Central Minnesota. Whether you live in St. Cloud, Sartell, Waite Park, Foley or Sauk Rapids, there are several ways you and your family can enjoy some water filled fun.

You can make a splash in Sartell this weekend at one of their two wading pools. Watab Creek Park and Celebration Park pools are both open for the season and a great way to beat the summer heat. Both pools begin starting new hours this year opening from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Watab Creek Park is located at 7 Riverside Avenue North, and Celebration Park is located on Celebration Drive.

You can cool off in one of the most kid friendly splash pads in Central Minnesota. The Waite Park Splash Pad at River's Edge Park is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The splash pad is open to any child, however kids under 10-years-old must be accompanied by an adult and kids 4-year-old and under must wear a swim diaper.

Check out Central Minnesota's hot spot for cooling off at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve. The park has two quarries designated for swimming with Quarry #2 116 feet deep with high rock formations and Quarry #11 which is 40 feet deep with a sandy beach. There are no lifeguards on hand so use precaution while swimming. All children must be supervised. Daily passes to enter the park are $5.00. The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset.

Enjoy one of three splash pads in St. Cloud with your family this week. All three are currently open for the summer and are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The three parks include Lake George/Eastman Park at 1101 7th Street South, Riverside Park at 1721 Killian Blvd, and Westwood Park at 720 Driftwood Drive. Later this month St. Cloud will open seven city wading poolsfor other options to beat the heat.

You can have your pick of a splash pad or wading pool to cool off in at one of two Sauk Rapids parks. The Splash Pad located at Autumn Ridge Park, 2270 Parkview Lane NE, is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Wading Pool is located at Bob Cross Park and is also open seven days a week from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Due note the pool/splash pad may be closed for a short time due to mechanical or water chemistry issues.

If you're looking for a larger swimming pool for your kids to check out make your way for Foley. The Foley Municipal Swimming pool is one of the few outdoor aquatic centers in the area open seven days a week throughout the summer. The pool is located next to Holdridge Park and is open from 12:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission to the pool is $4 for adults, $3 for children 15 and under and free for kids 6-months and under.

- Open Daily from 12:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

(Photo: City of Foley)

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St. Cloud Community Aquatics Center and YMCA

St. Cloud's newest aquatics center is now open for business. The new Community Aquatics Center and YMCA at 2001 Northway Drive is open for families and members of all ages. The facility includes an indoor waterslide, heated pools, lazy river, and whirlpool. You can purchase a day pass or become a member to use the facility. The St. Cloud YMCA is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday.